Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson

How to Add Ambiance (And Safety) to Your Kitchen

Universal Design is an interior design that adapts homes to homeowners, not the other way around. The goal is to make the entire home safe and easy to use. When it comes to kitchens, here’s one design tip that adapts your kitchen to your needs plus transforms it into a dining area with ambiance. You’ll be amazed to see how one small addition to your cabinetry can make such a difference. When it comes to base cabinets, most manufacturers include an indentation to make room for your feet called the toe kick space. Typically 3 inches deep and about 3 1/2 inches high, this space allows people to stand closer to the countertop so they don’t have to lean forward. Standing closer puts less strain on the back, shoulders and arms and minimizes discomfort, posture issues and chronic pain. The addition of light to this space adds both safety and ambiance. Here’s how. First, it clearly defines the break from floor to cabinets.  Especially advantageous at night, you minimize the possibility of bumping into things. This definition also aids early morning and evening meal preparation. Another advantage is that lighting placed within the toe kick can’t cause a glare. One goal of Universal Design is to balance lighting. It doesn’t matter if you have 20/20 vision, wear glasses or have a family member with sight issues; too much light is just as dangerous as too little. Foot level lighting balances overhead lighting and the combination eliminates shadows. Finally, toe kick lighting sets the ambiance of a kitchen. The soft glow creates an atmosphere that makes your meal more relaxed…...

Beautiful Bathroom Vanity Ideas

The bathroom vanity is where you primp and pamper yourself, or just wash your hands quickly. It can be massive or understated, modern or traditional, decorative or just plain practical. The bathroom vanity can be made up of one cabinet or several cabinets used to make a large vanity with plenty of storage options. When designing a bathroom vanity, you must first decide if you want one sink or two. If it is a small space, a single sink is all that can usually fit. However, you can incorporate an eye-catching vessel sink and a wall-mounted faucet to inject some style into a small unit. For dual sink areas, consider separating them with a tall storage tower to make a clean, clutter-free space. Create a rustic bathroom with rough wood cabinetry filled with natural knots in neutral colors. Substitute baskets on open shelving for drawers. A contemporary, ultra-trendy idea is the asymmetrical half floating vanity which attracts attention and features open plumbing. Floating vanities, in general, always give the illusion of a larger room and contribute to a minimalist vibe. Feel like royalty with mirrored cabinetry, a marble countertop, graceful carved legs under the vanity or ornate gold hardware. Consider a retro 60s vanity by adding a splash of bold color on the drawers or using sleek plastic laminate cabinetry with no hardware. Vanities don’t even have to be near a wall anymore either.  They can be an island near a free-standing tub or used to create a separate dressing space anywhere in the bathroom. Mixing styles is also a hot concept. Old materials, such as a weathered wooden...

11 bright ideas for an open-plan kitchen and living room

“As our homes become smaller – shrinking by almost 20 per cent since the 1950s – it is increasingly common to combine a kitchen and living area into a single open-plan space. The benefit of this layout is that it brings a family together in one room, but it can throw up a few design dilemmas, most often around its division into distinct living and cooking areas.” Click here to continue...

Latest Trends in Kitchen Pantries

New homes are being built with pantries once again and existing homes are being renovated to include one. Why? As open floor plans merge living rooms with kitchen spaces, kitchen counters must be kept clean and minimal, yet food still needs to be stored and prepped somewhere. For the budget conscious, a wall of cabinets tucked away in a corner nook with a fold-out work surface is a better storage solution than a walk-in pantry. Also consider a pull-out pantry to replace a broom closet. The key is to use all available floor-to-ceiling space. Designers prefer to hide small kitchen appliances like kettles and mixers. If you can afford a butler’s pantry, make pantry cupboards deep for all appliances. If you’re stuck on what appliances to get for your pantry, looking at online review pages can help in your decision, allgreatappliances can be one of the places to look. Cover beverage coolers with wooden panels. Trade old pantry cabinet doors for doors that hold jars, pans or utensils. Store your canisters or containers with the same shape and design on open shelving to look more organized. Install cubbies to house water cooler bottles or items bought in bulk. Labeled baskets and bins are a great way to contain your housewares with a touch of style while keeping your investment to a minimum. Customize the cabinetry of the pantry space to create a dedicated work zone that keeps all items related to a specific task (like a breakfast station or a baking center) in one contained area. LED task lighting affixed to cabinets is essential. Pantries with vintage-inspired features soften...

21 Modern Bathroom Vanity Ideas

“A bathroom vanity is more than just a place to stash your toothpaste and the hair gel you never use. It’s the command center of your morning routine, the stage for your impromptu karaoke sessions with the hairbrush, and the only witness to your questionable skincare experiments! Yet, for all the time we spend in front of these trusty bathroom fixtures, most of them look about as exciting as your Uncle Bob’s beige recliner! But fear not! We’re here to save the day with these 21 modern bathroom vanities that will surely transform your bathroom into the belle of the ball! Get ready to step up your bathroom game, because these vanities are here to steal the spotlight - and your heart!” Click here to continue...